Hello everyone Im back and Im well.? After spending half of my time in Bangkok in bed, leaving Claire to roam the streets and update the blog and the photos on her own (sorry Claire) finally no more hangovers or sickness for me you'll be pleased to hear!!

How are you all?

Ok so we left Bangkok to set off for Chiang Mai on an overnight bus.? We arrived in Chaing Mai about 6.30am, I woke up to find Claire not in the seat next to me where I had left her when i dozed off - she was infact in the bus loo not very well.? Yes she got the dreaded bug!!!? So, she spent the day in bed poorly and I had a chilling day by the pool and I made the most of it, as it was the first pool we had had.? We postponed our trek for a day as there was no way Claire could have trekked feeling the way she was.? The next day Claire felt a little better, so again we just made the most of the pool and the nice weather.?? Whilst we were lying there we both felt really dizzy and felt the ground move, we didn't say anything to each other as we thought we were going mad.?? But then two of guys came out of their room above the poll and said 'did you just feel something'.? At that point everyone said they did but didn't say anything in case they looked stupid.? We then found out that there had been an earthquake in the north somewhere!!? It was the weirdest feeling it really was.? That evening we visited the night Bazaar which was great.

The next day was dreaded trek!! and Oh My God it was hard work it really was!!!?? Claire was still suffering a bit but she was brave and managed the trek.? We set off fairly early visiting a market on the way so the guide could buy the food for our dinner.? The first stop was to visit The Long Neck Tribe.? All the women/girls have heavy rings round their necks which push the shoulders down and therefore make their necks longer.? One is added each 5th moon-we didn't find out how many rings they get in total but the has to be a limit.? It was a real experience to see them, they don't look real and obviously very odd.? The women and their children were sat on stalls selling scarves, photos etc. The children have make up caked on and don't want to smile.? We walked through the stalls but we all like we were imposing even though they are there for tourists to go and see.? It wasn't like we were visiting a village it was more as if they were on show.? Our tour guide wouldn't take us round, we had to walk on our own as he doesn't agree with the long necks and their reasons for being their.?? Im really glad we went to see them though, but it was very sad.?

We then drove to the Lasu Hilltribe where we were given lunch and we allowed to wonder around the village.? It is amazing to see how they actually live.? It made me realise what we actually have and how lucky we are.? They live in huts made from tin or bamboo with a couple of beds in.? The toilet is a hut with no light etc.? Its hard to believe that people still live like that but they do and thousands do.

So, then on to the hard stuff - the actual trek (the reason we are on this trip!!)? We set off about 2.15pm and hiked up and down mountains that were very slippery from all the rain that they have had.? After the first mountain climb (up) I actually thought I was going to die my head was going to explode!!!! This proved how unfit I actually am.? It was so hard it really was.? I slipped over once coming down luckily didn't hurt myself.? It rained a bit but it was actually nice so we didn't all run for cover straight away.? We walked for about 3 hours to the Lisu Hilltribe camp which would be our home for the night and the only thing keeping us both going was knowing that we could swim in a waterfall at the end.

When we arrived at the camp we just abandonned our gear put on our bikini's and went for a swim.? It was lovely and very refreshing.? When we came to have dinner which looked fantastic, we had company - dogs, chickens and a piglet!!! all running round our feet, oh and the mozzies and the flying ants!!? It got a bit much in the end and I actually wanted to shoot the dogs there and then!!? The dinner was great and made up for the fact that we couldn't eat it in peace.

We decided to hit the hay early and just chill out, as we couldnt stand getting bitten anymore.? In the night Claire woke up and looked down and there was an ants nest where she was sleeping, so she had to move beds and then after about half an hour I could feel a couple of bites, I turned on my headlamp and I also was surrounded in ants!! red ones that were biting, the b*****s got everywhere, in our sleeping liners, clothes and in our hair - nice hey!? I then slept over the other side of the room? in my sleeping liner and with my mozzie head net on!! I look a real stunner as you can imagine.? We were woken fairly early by the cockerel - bloody thing!!? Did it not realise we needed our beauty sleep, and believe me we did.? We obviously had to leave behind the shampoo/conditioner, hair dryer and straightners damn! (I did however manage a bit of mascara) We had our breakfast, again in the company or the piglet, dogs, chickens and this time we had a kitten as well.

The second day we set off about 9 am this time our tour guide gave us sticks which we thought meant he was telling us something we didn't want to hear - that it was going to be harder that yesterday, but I can safely say it wasn't harder.? The first bit was a killer but then after the uphill bit it was mainly downhill.? Claire this time fell over and so did many others.? It really was slippery.? It was so wet and damp we had to watch every step (the socks came to good use Dad).? Altogether we walked for about 2 and a half hours on the second day, to the elephant camp.? In total we walked 17300 steps as I wore my pedometer (thanks Lauren)!!?

The elephant ride was really good fun and definitely a highlight.? We climbed on to the ellie and then off he went......!! We didn't have a bar across us holding us in like I had before, we did feel like we going to fall off a couple of times.? We were on Nellie for about an hour and 15 mins and by the end we had numb bums as they are not the most comfortable of animals to sit on.?

After lunch we went bamboo rafting which was great fun.? At the start it was absolutely chucking it down so I wore my caggie! by the end of it I had just a bikini top on (and shorts) - the weather is sooooo unpredictable.? We had a raft with just the two of us to begin with and the driver (I don't know what to call him).? We both had bamboo sticks to steer and we gave half hearted attempts to help our driver out.? We nearly fell in a couple of times, not helped by having stick fights and jumping on the other groups raft, but we survived and didn't go under.?

We had a good few run ins with trees that were across the river and we had to duck many times otherwise we would have been knocked out.? However, as Claire was on the back of the raft she got the raw deal.? She did nearly get knocked more than once! We went past this one tree that we all had to duck for and Claire had to be Tarzan clinging to this tree for dear life whilst we went past it.? I was in hysterics at the way she gripped the tree that I nearly went in through laughing too much, Claire found it funny too, so I wasn't just being nasty.? Then we were merrily sailing along and there was a sharp low branch in the water, the raft got too close and it cut in to her ankle fairly deep so she bled a nice bleeding gash.? The guides sorted her out when we got back on dry land, and they all flapping around her trying to help!!

So, I have to say Im glad its over now! and I wouldn't do it again (twice in one year is enough).? I said to Claire that trekking like this isn't my idea of fun (get me a beach) and I am going to put it down as an experience.? Claire feels a sense of achievement which is really good - I am still waiting for that to come.? No, it was good but we are both glad its done.

When we got back to the hostel we jumped straight in the pool and it was bliss.? I was already beginning to seize up, Claire was ok but she is fitter than me.? That evening we managed to get cheap tickets for Thai Boxing and some people from our hostel were going so we all went along.? It was: how shall I put it: different.? It was good to watch, except for the children fighting - they should be in bed!!!? There were two English guys fighting so it was even better, and they both won.

Our last day in Chaing Mai was spent on a Thai cooking course.? We were taken to a local market and learnt about all the different ingredients in Thai cooking.? We each cooked the same 7 dishes which were, Pad Thai, Spring Rolls, Green Curry, Mussamen Curry, Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce.? We got to eat all the food we had cooked and were well and truly full!? We got a recipe book so we will be practicing when we get home.? After the cooking course and all the food we were shattered: the effects of the trek coming out.? So we thought we would treat ourselves to a pedicure and foot scrub.? We ended up being in salon for nearly 3 hours, having things done.? I had my hair trimmed, the pedicure and foot scrub, a bit of waxing, a coffee and a tip all for 7 pounds 50!!!!!? Last night feeling refreshed we went and watched the cup final (kick of at 9pm for us) with some people from the hostel , had a few drinks and had a good night.

There we go, sorry if I have just bored most of you but we have been busy bees this time.? Off to Pai next.

Chiang Mai - Big RED tick off the list..........

Until next time, Take care

Love you all lots
Miss you

Carly and Claire
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